How common is the Petty surname?

There are approximately 50,000 people with the surname Petty in the United States.

Are there Petty soldiers in Civil War records?

Yes, 926 soldiers with the Petty surname appear in Civil War records.

Petty

Q: What does the surname Petty mean?

The surname Petty means "Derived from the Old French word 'petit' meaning small, likely used as a descriptive nickname for a small person.". It is of English origin.

Descriptive

Meaning

Derived from the Old French word 'petit' meaning small, likely used as a descriptive nickname for a small person.

Etymology

Petty comes from the Old French 'petit' (small), which entered English as a descriptive term. The surname was applied to individuals of small stature or as a diminutive form of other names.

About the Petty Surname

Petty is an English surname derived from a descriptive term for a small person. The name has been documented in English records since the medieval period.

Distribution & Frequency

Estimated 50,000 bearers in the United States #495 most common surname

Rare Common

Found throughout England and English-speaking countries, with significant presence in the United States.

Petty Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer

People with the Petty Surname

J.M. Petty

Lieutenant Colonel

Quick Facts

Origin: English
Classification: Descriptive
Earliest Record: 13th century
Estimated Bearers: 50,000

War Records

926 soldiers with the Petty surname found in Civil War records.

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